Towards a Recognised System for Space Traffic Management. A Political-Legal Assessment of the European Contribution to Securing Sustainable Space Activities

Bachelor Thesis , 2017 , 49 Pages , Grade: 1,7

Law - European and International Law, Intellectual Properties

This thesis focuses on the research questions whether Europe can legally and technically contribute to Space Traffic Management, how it can contribute and lastly if it should contribute.

The first question primarily relates to legal aspects deriving from international and EU law. The second questions assess European capabilities in the field of STM, while the last question discusses Europe's significance to contribute to STM or if maybe the United Nations (UN) or the national statesare more adequate and should contribute solely.

Table of Contents

List of abbreviations

Table of authorities

Abstract

1. Introduction
1.1. A picture of outer space – the threat of a system's collapse
1.2. Research questions, purpose, and approach
1.3. Relevance and impact
1.4. State of the art and references

2. Space Traffic Management – an overview
2.1. Findings from the International Academy of Astronautics Cosmic Studies on Spac e Traffic Management
2.2.Contents of Space Traffic Management
2.2.1. Space Situational Awareness as an important element of Space Traffic Management
2.2.2. Sharing of information/data collection on Space Situational Awareness, notification system, and real-time collision avoidance
2.2.3. Traffic rules
2.2.4 . Mechanism for implementation and control
2.2.5 . Space Debris Mitigation
2.3. United States and the JSpOC already providing a de-facto form of Space Traffic Management

3. International, national, and European governance over space activities
3.1 . The question of sovereignty
3.2 . Space as a multilevel governance system
3.3 . First governance triangle – EU, ESA and Member States
3.4 . The EU-ESA relationship
3.4.1 . Cooperation between EU and ESA
3.4.2 . European Space Operations Centre
3.5 . Second governance triangle – EU, ESA and UN

4. EU competences and objectives in the field of Space Traffic Management
4.1 . EU objectives from international law
4.2. EU competences from EU law
4.2.1 . Arts. 4 III, 189 TFEU (Space)
4.2.2 . Arts. 4 II (g), 90 ff. TFEU (Transport)
4.3. EU and Space Traffic Management

5. European activities and capabilities in the field of Space Traffic Management
5.1. European Space Policy
5.2. Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities
5.3. European Code of Conduct for Space Debris Mitigation
5.4. Space Situational Awareness programme
5.5. Space Surveillance and Tracking Support Framework
5.6. European Union Satellite Centre
5.7. Clean Space Initiative
5.8 . The national States

6. Europe's particular significance in the field of Space Traffic Management

7. Conclusion and Outlook

List of References

Annex
i . Figures and charts
ii. Reply of the European Commission regarding STM-enquiry

Erklärung § 8 Abs. 6 RPO Bachelor

• College: Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Sören Sommer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 49
• Catalog Number: V489857
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668965843
• ISBN (Book): 9783668965850
• Language: English
• Tags: Space Law, Space Traffic Management, European Union Law, International Law, Space Debris, European Space Governance, European Space Traffic Management